His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai has approved the five-year plan for internal roads (2025-2029). The plan encompasses 21 projects spreading across 12 residential, commercial, and industrial areas, with a total of 634 km of new roads costing Dh 3.7 billion. This plan reflects His Highness’s keenness to uplift the infrastructure in residential and industrial areas, aligning with Dubai’s population growth and urban expansion, and fostering the well-being and happiness of residents.
His Excellency Mattar Al Tayer, Director General, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors, Roads and Transport Authority, stated, “The Five-Year Internal Roads Development Plan covers 12 areas with urbanisation rates ranging from 30% to 80%. In 2025, internal roads will be constructed in Nad El Sheba 3 and Al Amardi, serving Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment project, which includes 482 housing units. Additional internal roads will be developed in Hatta, also serving a Mohammed bin Rashid Housing Establishment project with 100 housing units. In 2026, RTA will construct 92 km of internal roads in Nadd Hessa, and Al Awir 1. The year 2027 will see the development of 45 km of roads in Al Athbah, Mushrif, and Hatta, along with 14 km of roads in Warsan 3 (Industrial Area).

“In 2028, one of the longest internal road projects, extending over 284 km, will be constructed across three communities: Al Awir 1, Wadi Al Amardi, and Hind 3. This includes 221 km of roads in Al Awir 1, 22 km of roads in Wadi Al Amardi, and 41 km of roads in Hind 3. The project construction momentum will continue in 2029, with 200 km of internal roads to be constructed in Hind 4 and Al Yalayis 5, comprising 39 km in Hind 4 and 161 km in Al Yalayis 5,” explained Al Tayer.
Al Tayer further added, “RTA is committed to ensuring smooth and safe access for residents and visitors to their respective areas. By the end of last year, the total length of roads completed in residential and industrial areas reached 6000 km. Between 2011 and the end of last year, internal roads in 28 residential and industrial areas had been paved. In 2023 and 2024, RTA constructed internal roads totalling 83 km in 17 areas, completing road projects in Al Warqa 4, Al Qusais Industrial, Margham, Lehbab, Al Lisaili, and Hatta (Suhaila, Saeir, and Al Salami). Road works are ongoing in Jebel Ali Industrial, Nazwa, the Tolerance District in Al Khawaneej 2, Al Warqa, Nad Al Sheba 1, and Al Awir.”

With just over a month to go until the World Tennis League returns for its third season, the excitement for ‘The Greatest Show on Court!’ is palpable. Supported by Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), in collaboration with the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT) and Miral, WTL Season 3 will find its home at the iconic Etihad Arena at Yas Island, from December 19-22, 2024.

While 16 world-class players will deliver some courtside thrills during the day, at night, global artists will take the spectators on a musical journey. This year, legendary rock icon Bryan Adams, American pop diva Anastacia, and Grammy Award-winning artists Akon and Sean Paul are set to take the stage. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DB9Az5wgYW6/?igsh=MTU3ZHg5c2J0MGgybg==: World Tennis League Season 3 brings a Stellar Musical Lineup

Bryan Adams will kickstart the entertainment gala on the opening night (December 19) and is expected to play his timeless hits, including Summer of ’69, Run to You, and more. The following evening (December 20), Anastacia will captivate the audience with her powerful voice and chart-topping hits like I’m Outta Love, Not That Kind and Freak of Nature, amongst several others.  

Akon, who comes back to WTL for the second time, will close the penultimate day of the league (December 21) performing the likes of his global hits including Lonely, I Wanna Love You, Right Now (Na Na Na) and several others. He will be joined by Reggae legend Sean Paul, who will bring his signature style to the stage as spectators groove to hits like Temperature, Get Busy, We Be Burnin’, and more.

Building on the success of its previous seasons, WTL has established itself as a premier event that seamlessly blends elite tennis with electrifying musical performances. 

Tennis and music lovers can book their tickets from https://www.etihadarena.ae/en/world-tennis-league or https://abu-dhabi.platinumlist.net/event-tickets/93107/world-tennis-league-presents-the-greatest-show-on-court-at-etihad-arena-abu-dhabi-2024.

he fireworks continued in the Hong Kong Sixes 2024 on the final day of the tournament. Sri Lanka were crowned champions after they defeated neighbours Pakistan by 3 wickets.

Being out into bat, Pakistan were bowled out for 72 in 5.2 overs. Muhammad Akhlaq top-scored with 48 off 20. Later, Pakistan bowlers did create some pressure in the starting of the chase but the Lankan lions soon pushed the paddle.

Sandun Weerakkody chipped in with a 13-ball 34 while captain Lahiru Madushanka (19 off 5) and Tharindu Ratnayake (16* off 4) made valuable contributions to take the side home.

Earlier, in the day, Australia’s Dan Christian smashed 6 sixes in one over against Pakistan’s Asif Ali in the Cup Semi Final. The Asian side had started off the proceedings with the ball in a steady way but Dan Christian helped the Aussies put up 107/1 in 6 overs. He ended up getting 42*off 10.

Later, Pakistan batters unleashed a stunning show with the bat and chased down the target in 5.5 overs to win the match by 4 wickets and register a place in the final. Muhammad Akhlaq scored 32 off 10 while Asif Ali struck 32 off 8.

The rest of the job was done by Faheem Ashraf (19* off 9) and Aamer Yamin (24* off 8).
Sri Lanka made it to the final of the tournament after defeating Bangladesh in a close encounter in the semi-final. The Bangla tigers were bundled out for 103 after Tharindu Rathnayake picked up four wickets.

Sri Lanka were then off to a good start in the chase after Sandun Weerakkody scored fifty before retiring. But Bangladesh did make a comeback and picked up a couple of wickets in quick succession. Sri Lanka needed 14 runs in the final over and they went over the line by 3 wickets.

England and Oman locked horns with each other in the Bowl final.

Oman took away the win by 4 wickets after chasing down a target of 124 runs. Batting first, England put up 123/1 in 6 overs after Ravi Bopara and Jordan Thompson struck fifties before retiring.

Oman got a perfect start to the chase as openers Asif Khan (47* off 17) and Vinayak Shukla (38 off 12) stitched a stand of 75 runs for the first wicket. Oman eventually completed the target in 5.5 overs to win the Bowl final.

The Plate Final was played between South Africa and UAE. The Proteas scored 96/4 after JJ Smuts remained unbeaten at 67 off 18 and then the bowlers unveiled a brilliant show with the ball. UAE were restricted to 95/4 and lost by 1 run.